Caribbean immigrants can be found just about everywhere. Whether first or second-generation, the people of the Caribbean have dispersed around the globe bringing bits of their culture with them. One particular, but less talked about, a hotbed of Caribbean culture is the city of Atlanta. Some of the best music, art, and of course food can be found throughout A-Town.
Picking the best three Caribbean restaurants or even three must-try hole-in-the-walls in Atlanta is difficult. It’s hard to narrow it down to just three! Regardless, these three restaurants are recognized within their communities for their rich histories and most importantly, delicious food.
Chef Rob’s Caribbean Cafe
Chef Rob Gayle’s authentic Caribbean cafe lies in the heart of Sandy Springs, Georgia. It’s a family operation. He co-owns the restaurant with his wife and employs both his mother and his son. Chef Rob’s Caribbean Cafe is an institution in the area, going strong for 16 years and counting. Rob Gayle takes his CIA (Culinary Institute of America) training and uses it to elevate the classic Jamaican cuisine he grew up eating.
Menu options range from traditional to fusion, with everything from classic braised oxtail and curried goat with roti, to jerk chicken egg rolls and Jamaican quesadillas.
More than a restaurant, Chef Rob’s Caribbean Cafe includes a food truck determined to bring its unique menu to people on the other side of the city. There’s also an upscale lounge that caters to an adult clientele and regularly hosts karaoke and comedy nights.
Havana Sandwich Shop
On February 9, 1976, the Benedit family opened the original Cuban eatery in Atlanta on Buford Highway. This family-run establishment not only provides a connection to Cuban culture but is a trunk within their family tree. All of the dishes served at the restaurant were designed by the founder Eddie Benedit Sr, who migrated to the United States in 1962.
“Most of the recipes are foods he grew up with living in Cuba,” Mrs. Benedit explained in an interview. “That man could cook anything he put his hands on and he never cooked by the book.” This hasn’t stopped the menu from becoming a crowd favorite. The most popular dish is, of course, the Cuban sandwich, but the spot is known for its empanadas, maduros, tostones, and yucca fritas.
Today the restaurant employs around 10 people, many of whom have been long-term employees for over 15 years, maintaining the restaurant’s familial vibe.
Royal Caribbean Bakery
While not technically a restaurant, the Royal Caribbean Bakery (RBC) serves delicious food by the basket. An extension of the original bakery founded in 1987 by Vincent and Jeanette HoSang in the Bronx, New York, this Atlanta branch brings the same quality baked goods to A-Town.
At the bakery, soft, freshly baked hard dough bread, delectably spiced buns, fluffy coco bread, chewy bulla cakes, and many more Caribbean classics are produced daily. It also serves as a gateway to classic Jamaican kitchens. It’s an official distributor of Delights Jamaican-style beef, chicken, and vegetable patties.
The RCB was born out of necessity. Fresh immigrants from Jamaica, the HoSang’s missed the flavors of home and decided they had to fix that. All of their signature recipes have been tested and approved by discerning Jamaican customers, ensuring you’re always on the end of a top-of-the-line baked experience.
